Begonia plant named ‘EC-BEGO-1901’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Begonia masoniana  plant named ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique, striking brown leaf rim against bright green leaves with a distinct puckered upper surface. The color pattern of the leaf also includes a unique brown palmate center patch. The new variety is a  Begonia , and is normally used as an ornamental garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Begonia masoniana.

Variety denomination: ‘EC-BEGO-1901’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of a crossing performed during 2014 of two unnamed, unpatented Begonia masoniana seedlings. The selection of the new variety was made in 2017, by the inventor at a greenhouse located in Sappemeer, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ was first performed at a greenhouse in Sappemeer, The Netherlands by leaf cuttings during March 2017. ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ has since produced several generations by vegetative cuttings and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘EC-BEGO-1901’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ as a new and distinct Begonia masoniana cultivar:

-   -   1. Unique striking brown leaf rim, with a distinct brown palmate         center patch along veins, and bright green leaves.     -   2. Distinct hairy and puckered leaf upper surface.     -   3. Nice full plant shape.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ are similar to plants of the seed parent variety in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a slightly larger plant habit than the         seed parent.     -   2. The new variety has a slightly longer leaf stem than the seed         parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent variety in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a brown leaf rim, while the pollen parent         does not.     -   2. The new variety has slightly longer leaf stems than the         pollen parent.     -   3. The new variety has thicker leaf stems than the pollen         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ are similar to plants of the unpatented commercial variety, Begonia ‘Iron Cross’, in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a brown leaf rim, while this comparator         does not.     -   2. The new variety has a taller plant habit than this         comparator.     -   3. The new variety has slightly larger leaves than this         comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety, Begonia maculata ‘77KL Sunrise’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,808, in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has broad ovate leaves with a brown rim,         while this comparator has elongated leaves with a white dot.     -   2. Leaves of the new variety have a hairy, puckered upper         surface, while this comparator's leaves are sparely hirsute         without puckering.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety, Begonia masoniana ‘EC-BEGO-1902’, filed concurrently, and having U.S. application Ser. No. 16/873,177 in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-BEGO-1902’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ has smaller foliage than ‘EC-BEGO-1902’.     -   2. ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ is a smaller plant than ‘EC-BEGO-1902’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ grown in a greenhouse. The plant is approximately 30 weeks of age in a 25 cm pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the foliage. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe 30-week-old ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ plants grown in September in a greenhouse in Sappemeer, The Netherlands. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Begonia masoniana ‘EC-BEGO-1901’. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 30 weeks. -   Container size: 11 cm.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Leaf cuttings. -   Time to develop roots: About 15 days at approximately 21° C. in     Summer. -   Time to develop a rooted liner: About 70 days at approximately     21° C. in Summer. -   Root description: Herbaceous, fine, moderately dense, freely     branching. Brown in color, not accurately measured with RHS chart.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial potted plant. -   Growthh habit: Broad spreading upright. -   Height: 15.5 cm. -   Plant spread: 26.2 cm. -   Growth rate: Low. -   Plant vigor: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: No branches; leaves grow directly from     base.

FOLIAGE

-   -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single, growing directly from roots.         -   Average length.—Approximately 11.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 8.3 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Broad ovate.         -   Apex.—Long apiculate.         -   Base.—Oblique, lobes separate to somewhat touching.         -   Margin.—Irregular shallow crenate, finely undulate, densely             covered with short strigose hairs, average length 1.0 mm,             colored RHS Greyed-Purple 185D.         -   Texture of top surface.—Strongly rugose and pubescent.             Densely covered with short strigose hairs, average length             1.75 mm, colored RHS Greyed-Purple 185D.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent. Densely covered with             short strigose hairs, average length 0.75 mm, colored RHS             Greyed-Yellow 161D.         -   Rugosity.—Upper side: Strongly rugose. Under side: Slightly             rugose.         -   Luster.—Upper side: Glossy. Under side: Matte.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A,             margined Brown 200C to 200D, area around main veins and             secondary veins in the center of the leaf Greyed-Purple 187A             to Brown 200B. Young foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green             148B to 148C, margined Greyed-Purple 183A to Brown 200B,             area around main veins and secondary veins in the center of             the leaf Greyed-Purple 187A. Mature foliage upper side: RHS             Green to Yellow-Green; in between 143A and 146A but darker,             margined Brown 200A to 200B, area around main veins and             secondary veins in the center of the leaf Brown 200A. Mature             foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B to 146C, margined             Brown 200B to 200C, area around main veins and secondary             veins in the center of the leaf Greyed-Orange 176B.         -   Venation.—Type: Laciniate. Venation color upper side:             Slightly darker than RHS Yellow-Green 148A. Venation color             under side: RHS Yellow-Green N148A.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 10.5 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 4 mm. Color: Upper side: RHS Grey-Brown N199B.             Under side: RHS Grey-Brown N199B to Brown 200D. Texture:             Densely pubescent with short hairs, average length 3.0 mm,             colored RHS Greyed-Green 196D. Luster: Moderately glossy.             Strength: Low.

FLOWER

-   Not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests of Begonia has been observed in this variety. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures from     approximately 5° to 35° C. -   Other features: Excellent weather tolerance. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘EC-BEGO-1901’ as herein illustrated and described. 